Federal and State Tax Rules for
Your Retirement Benefit

Your retirement benefit is subject to federal income tax (except for previously taxed
contributions). The federal tax
tables can help you determine how much NYSTRS would withhold from your benefit payment
under various scenarios.

You can have federal taxes withheld from your monthly payments or make quarterly
estimated tax payments. To elect a new withholding amount, file a W-4P Withholding Election and Certificate form at any time; changes NYSTRS receives by the 12th of a month will generally be
reflected in that month's payment. MyNYSTRS account holders have the convenience of updating their W-4P withholding election online.

NYSTRS will send you a 1099-R form each January showing
the gross amount of your benefit, the taxable amount and any federal tax withheld for the
previous year. With a MyNYSTRS account, you can access and print seven years' worth of 1099 statements.

Your retirement benefit is exempt from New York State income tax. However, if you live
in another state, your benefit is subject to that state's tax rules. You can find
information about other states' tax laws at www.rpea.org.

Key to Estate Planning:
Keeping Beneficiaries Informed

Coping with the passing of a loved one is difficult enough; dealing with estate issues
can make it that much harder. You can help your family and beneficiaries clear up your
estate more quickly by maintaining a list of
important documents.

NYSTRS must be promptly notified when a retiree or beneficiary dies. To report a death,
call us at (800) 356-3128, Ext. 6140. Notifying the Social Security
Administration and/or your last school district is not sufficient. Beneficiaries will not
receive the payments you intended unless NYSTRS is notified directly.